Governor-bellows for player-pianos and the like.



A. YOUNG.

GOVERNOR BiELLOWS FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.23, 1914.

1,1%6,542. Patented July 13, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (70., WASHINGTON, n. c.

FTQ.

AUGUST YOUNG, 0F NEWYORK, N. Y.

GOVERNOR-BELLOWS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed March 23, 1914. Serial No. 826,602.

its object to provide an improved device which will enable the forceapplied to the neumatics for moving the music rolls to be properlyregulated.

The invention has been shown as applied to one embodiment, in theaccompanying drawin and will be more fully described hereinafter andfinally pointed out in the claims. 7

' In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side-view of an embodimentof a governorbellows containing my invention, Fig. 2 is, a verticallongitudinal section thereof, taken on line 22 of Fig. 4, Fig. 3 is aplan-view, with the top-wall removed, taken on line 3-3 of'Fig. 2, andFig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, and more par ticularly to Fig. 1, thegovernor-bellows shown in side-view therein is arranged at a suitableplace on the player-piano, intermediate the power-bellows and themusicroll motors, and theobjeot of this governorbellows is to equalizethe force used in the motors. It has often been found that where theoperator uses different degrees of force when using his foot, thisdifierent degree of force is transmitted to the music-roll motors, andthus a very unsatisfactory effect is produced during the rendering ofthe piece of music. For this purpose, governor-bellows are providedintermediate the power-bellows and music-roll motors to bring about anequal speed. My improvement in these governor-bellows will be clearlyapparent from the description to follow, and from the drawing, in whichthe casing 10 is providedwith a top-wall 11. At one end of the casing 10the tube, 13, is connected by means of the joint 14, which tube 13 is inturn connected with the power or foot bellows, while the other end ofthe casing 10 is connected with the tube, or pipe, or channel 15 whichleads to the pneumatics forming the motor for moving the music-roll,wall 16 forming the fixed part of the main-pneumatic forming a part ofthe governor-bellows, which in turn is provided with several differentchannels therein, as for instance, the longitudinal main channel 18, thevertical channel 19, the transverse channel 20, and the secondarychannel 21, which is connected with the tube 15. The cooperation ofthese channels will be described hereinafter. These different channelsare controlled by different valves, as for instance, spring-valve 22,the slidevalve 23 and a second slide-valve 24, both of theseslide-valves 23 and 24 being held in position by springs 25 and 26. Allthese channels and valves are within the fixed part of the pneumatic.

A diaphragm 30 is connected with the valve-stem 31, to which is securedthe valvedisk 32 covering an opening 33, and which valve-stem 31 extendsinto the upper board 11, being guided by the recess 34. At the lowerportion of the diaphragm 30 a plate 35 is provided, which is within thegovernor pneumatic, which is also provided with a recess forming adiaphragm chamber 36, and which recess is in communication with achannel 37 having the opening 38. A vent 39'is provided by means ofwhich the suction action in the channel18 is normally caused to exertits action on thediaphragm 30 in the chamber 130 arranged in enlargedmanner transversely across the main channel, and thereby causes thevalve 32 to be forced downwardly to cover the opening 33 in thepartition 40. When, however, it is desired to actuate thediaphragm-valve 32, the opening 38 is connected with the atmosphere bymeans of the channel or tube 41, which in turn is operated by apush-button on the front of the piano, whereby atmospheric air is causedto enter through the channel 41, opening 38, diaphragm chamber 36, andatmospheric pressure is caused to exist below the diaphragm 30, wherebythe suction in the channel 18 will force the diaphragmvalve 32 upwardlyfrom the opening 33 in the partition 40, and thereby cause connectionbetween the channel 18 and the tube 15 through the opening 42 in thefixed part 16. This will cause the motor for the music-roll to beoperated very quickly and thereby the music-roll will pass over thetracker-baror board very rapidly, without any playing of the instrument.This action, however, only takes place in those cases where it isdesired to move the motor rapidly and cause the music-roll to passrapidly over the trackerbar. The important feature of this arrangementis that the diaphragm is adjacent the fixed part of the pneumatic, andthe diaphragm chamber is arranged within the bellows, and also has thevalve stem operated by said diaphragm passing through the fixed part ofthe pneumatic. By operating this diaphragm valve by push-buttons insteadof wire connections, these objectionable wire connections are done awaywith.

Normally, however, the object of this invention is to provide means forregulatingthe speed of the music-roll, and for this pur ose thespring-valve 22 is provided. his spring-valve 22 has. one end-portionsecured to the fixed part of the governor-bellows by means of the screw45, whereas the free end of this portion is loosely secured to the samefixed part by means of the screw 46; it is not firmly secured, but in amanner to give a certain movement to the parts to enable a variation oftension to be obtained. The other free end of the spring 22 has a curvedportion 48, which is engaged by a stud 49 adapted to be adjusted by thescrew 50, passing through the movable part 51 of the bellows, whichmovable part is hinged at 52 and has the flexible bellows-portions at53. In order to limit the movement of this fixed part, a second stud 55,adapted to be changed in position by means of the screw-threaded rod 56,is provided, which passes through the movable part 51 of the bellows. Inorder to enable the screws 45 and 46 to be properly adjusted, themovable part of the bellows is provided with two openings 60 and 61,which are adapted to be covered by means of a plate 63 pivoted to themovable part 51 by means of the screw 64. A screwdriver may thus beinserted through either of the holes 60 or 61, and thereby engage thescrew 45 or 46 and vary the tension of the spring 22.

The valve 23 has already been referred to, but it has a special shape,being provided with a V-shaped incision at one end, and a valve-rod 71at the other end, which is provided at the exterior of the bellows witha handle 72. Instead of providing the valve 23 with a V-shaped incision,the opening 19 may be made a V-shaped opening in order to give a gradualincreasing or decreasing speed. hen, for instance, it is desired to havethe music-roll pass over the trackerbar at a certain speed, say 60, thenthe valve 23 is placed in the position corresponding thereto. When,however, it is desired to operate the music-roll passing over thetracker-bar somewhat quicker for a certain period, but still maintainthis normal speed when this desire has been fulfilled, the valvegradually close up opening 42. as before stated, if it isdesired. tomove the 24 is operated to uncover the opening 75. This valve 24 isprovided with a rod 76 having a handle 7 7 at the outside of thebellows. When it is desired to decrease the speed, the opening 42 willbe gradually decreased by the valve 24.

From the description of the parts, the op eration of thegovernor-bellows becomes clear, and which is as follows: When it isdesired to move themusic-roll at a certain speed the valve 23 isplacedin a position over the opening 91 of the channel 19. By this position acertain amount of power exerted by the power bellows and enteringthrough the channel 13 and channel 18, will be permitted to pass throughthe opening 99 into the bellows, then through the channel 19, throughthe chamber 100, into the channel 21 and tube 15, and move the motor forthe music-roll correspondingly. In order to prevent, however, any extraforce which is exerted on the power-bellows by the irregular movement ofthe feet of the operator from being transmitted to the motor of themusic-roll, and thereby cause an irregular movement of the same, thespring 22 with the bellows 53 acts as a governing or equalizing device.Hence, if the suction is suddenly very great, the spring 22 will becomecompressed and will close'the opening 99 of the channel 18 and henceprevent this suction from passing through the channel 19, and finallyinto the channel 15. ()n the other hand, if the suction is less, thespring 22 will move the movable part 51 of the bellows outwardly,thereby uncovering the opening 99 and permitting a greater amount of thesuction action to enter'into the bellows, and thereby also enter intothe channel 19, and through the opening 91 thereof into the chamber 100,and through the opening 42 into the channel 15, the curved arrow 110indicating this very nicely. Hence by the action described, the spring22 acts to equalize any sudden or unequal movement of the power-bellowsand the force exerted through the channel 15 on the motor of themusic-roll is substantially constant. As before described, when itdesired to give a special or rapid movement to the motorbellowsmoving'the music-roll, the valve 24 is moved to uncover the opening 75,whereby the music-roll may be, moved somewhat quicker depending on: thedesire ofthe per son who is playing the instrument, in order to renderdifferent parts of the piece to be properly played. When, as beforestated, it is desired to decrease the speed of the musicroll, thetemporary valve 24 is moved to Of course,

music-roll very quickly, without rendering any music, then thepress-button is operated and the atmospheric air permitted to enterunderneath the diaphragm 30, and thereby tion-channel 18 and the tube15.

open direct communication between the suc- The invention may also beapplied to be used with player action Pneumatics, and in this case also,the regulating of the varying pressure of the pumping bellows being alsomade possible, so that by the equalization, the rendering of the pieceis enabled to be uniform throughout. Also, various desired renditionsmay be made as desired by the player.

I have described my invention as applied to one embodiment, but changesmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims. I

IIaving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of apneumatic provided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumaticforming a bellows portion, a channel arranged longitudinally in thefixed part of the pneumatic, communicating with the said opening,communicating directly with the bellows portion of the pneumatic, a fiatspring adjustably mounted at one end to the fixed part of the pneumatic,and movable by the movable part of the pneumatic, said spring beingarranged over the opening of the fixed part of the pneumatic, adapted toopen and close said opening, and adapted to control the longitudinalchannel.

2. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumaticprovided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a channel arranged longitudinally in the fixed part ofthe pneumatic, communicating with the said opening, communicatingdirectly with the bellows portion of the pneumatic, a fiat springadjustably mounted at two points, at the end and approximately near theend of said opening, on the fixed part of said pneumatic, to vary thetension oi said spring, and movable by the movable part of thepneumatic, said spring being arranged over the opening of the fixed partof the pneumatic, adapted to open and close said opening, and adapted tocontrol the longitudinal channel.

3. In a governor, having a fixed part of a pneumatic provided with anopening, and a movable part of a pneumatic, forming a bellows portion, alongitudinal channel in said fixed part of the pneumatic, communicatingwith the said opening, communicating directly with said bellows portion,a chamber in said fixed part of said pneumatic, a second channel betweensaid chamber and said bellows portion, an inlet duct in said fixed partcommunicating with the exterior thereof, and a third channel connectingsaid chamber with said inlet duct.

4. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumaticprovided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal channel in said fixed part of thepneumatic, communicating with said opening, communicating directly withsaid bellows portion, a chamber in said fixed part of said pneumatic, asecond channel between said chamber and said bellows portion, an inletduct, in said fixed part communicating with the exterior thereof, athird channel connecting said chamber with said inlet duct, and a valvebetween said first-mentioned channel and said chamber.

5. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumatic,provided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal main channel, in said fixed part of thepneumatic, communicating with said opening, communicating directly withsaid bellows portion, a chamber in said fixed part of said pneumatic, adiaphragm in said main channel intermediate the inlet and outletthereof, normally under tension of suction, a diaphragm chamber in saidmovable part of said pneumatic, also under said tension, a valve betweensaid main channel and said chamber operable by said diaphragm, and meansfor placing the diaphragmchamber under atmospheric pressure, whereby thesaid valve is opened over direct communication established between saidmain channel under suction and the channel communicating with the motorbellows.

6. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumatic, abellows portion of a pneumatic, a main-channel longitudinally arrangedin the fixed part of the pneumatic in communication with the suction, achamber interposed in said main-channel, openings in said fixed part, adiaphragm for one of said openings, a valve for the other of saidopenings, a stem connecting the valve and diaphragm, a chamber in thebellows portion of the pneumatic for said diaphragm normally maintainedunder suction, and means through the fixed part of the pneumaticconnecting the chamber in the bellows portion with the atmosphere, forestablishing communication between the chamber and the atmosphere, formoving the diaphragm, and its stem and valve.

7. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumaticprovided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal channel in said fixed part of thepneumatic communicating with said opening, communieating directly withsaid bellows portion, a chamber in said fixed portion extending alongthe fixed portion of the pneumatic the length thereof, a second channelbetween said bellows portion and said chamber, an inlet duct in saidfixed part communicating with the exterior thereof, a third channelconnecting said chamber with said inlet duct, a slide valve for saidsecond channel, arranged in said chamber, a slide valve for said thirdchannel, arranged in the same chamber, and means at the exterior of thegovernor for operating the slide valves.

8. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumatic,provided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal channel in said fixed part of thepneumatic, communicating with said opening, communicating directly withsaid bellows portion, a chamber in said fixed portion extending alongthe fixed portion the length thereof, a second channel between saidbellows portion and said chamber, an auxiliary channel between saidsecond channel and said chamber, an inlet duct in said fixed partcommunicating with the exterior thereof, a third channel connecting saidchamber with said inlet duct, a slide valve for said second channel,arranged in said chamber, a slide valve for said third channel and saidauxiliary channel, arranged in the same chamber, and means at theexterior of the governor for operating the slide valves.

9. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumaticprovided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal channel in said fixed part of thepneumatic communicating with said opening, communicating directly withsaid bellows portions, a chamber in said fixed portion extending alongthe fixed portion of the pneumatic the length thereof, a second channelbetween said bellows portion and said chamber, an inlet duct in saidfixed part communicating with the exterior thereof, a third channelconnecting said chamber with said inlet duct, a slide valve for saidsecond channel, arranged in said chamber, a slide valve for said thirdchannel, arranged in the same chamber, means at the exteriorof thegovernor for operating the slide valves, and a diaphragm chamber andvalve whereby direct communication is established between said mainlongitudinal channel under suction and said third-mentioned channelcommunicating with the motor bellows.

10. In a governor, the combination of a fixed part of a pneumaticprovided with an opening, a movable part of a pneumatic forming abellows portion, a longitudinal channel in said fixed part of thepneumatic communicating with said opening, communicating directly withsaid bellows portion, a flat spring adjustably mormted at one end to thefixed part of the pneumatic, and movable by the movable part of thepneumatic, said spring being arranged over the opening of the fixed partof the pneumatic, adapted to open and close said opening, and adapted tocontrol the longitudinal channel, a chamber in said fixed portion extending along the fixed portion of the pneumatic, the length thereof, asecond channel between said bellows portion and said chamher, an inletduct in said fixed portion communicating with the exterior thereof, athird channel connecting said chamber with said inlet duct, a slidevalve for said second channel, arranged in said chamber, a slide valvefor said third channel, arranged in the same chamber, means at theexterior of the governor for operating the slide valves and a diaphragmchamber and valve whereby direct communication is established betweensaid main longitudinal channel under suction, and said third-mentionedchannel com municating with the motor bellows.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name in presencev of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST YOUNG.

Witnesses F. Hose,

Jos. BISBANO.

Gopies of this, patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

